The Survivors

1

The next hours were a dusty blur for Angela as they talked to curious people whose names she was too nervous to remember. She was astounded by everything Adrian had going on here. There were driving classes, kids and adults in teaching circles, groups of women changing tires, karate and archery near the livestock area, kickball where the football had been earlier. Everywhere, she found healthy, normal people coming and going, talking, laughing, living. It was almost overwhelming to someone who had been alone with one man for six weeks, and by herself for twice that long.

The longer she and Adrian walked, the further the trip here seemed. She was overjoyed to be with her son, but being around so many strangers was hard. She considered telling Adrian she wanted to go to her tent, but she forced herself to hang on. She had figured out these hours were an evaluation. The open nosiness was difficult compared to the quiet privacy she’d had on the way here though; some of the questions were outright nasty. It was harder to keep from saying the wrong thing as the day wore on.

Adrian was pleased with her. She had been politely interested, easily sidestepping questions about Kenn and Marc. She was adept at distracting even the most persistent people, drawing them into discussions of things closest to their hearts. Adrian was certain she would win them over if given enough time, but Kenn was going to have problems. Angela wasn’t even close to the weak, inept woman Kenn had hinted couldn’t have survived, thus his reason for not undertaking the hazardous trip back to Ohio. The Marine had left her to survive on her own. People would recognize that quickly. At the least, it would cost him respect and leave unanswered questions, like why didn’t he want her here? She was smart, useful. What hadn’t he wanted Adrian to know? From there, clues would fill in the blanks if they searched enough. The Eagles were already becoming aware that Kenn had lied to all of them. After watching Angela, it was hard to miss. Adrian felt the anger at Kenn growing with each stop they made. The Angela they were meeting was also more alert minded than the other females here. The only time Adrian saw her hesitate, except when around Kenn, was as they headed to the shooting area.

Dusk came on around 6pm, with heavy rainclouds rolling over the distant South Dakota landscape in a solid wall. The center pool was lit and blazing, along with eight charred garbage cans around the corners of the long camp. It drove away some of the darkness, but not enough. Angela stopped at a feeling of cold danger, hand dropping to her gun.

Adrian took notice of the intense stare she shared with a nearby guard. He wasn’t surprised when the radio lit up a second later.

“Permission to double the sentries and roll in the camp?”

Adrian pushed a button on his belt. “Roger, ten and two.”

Angela was once again grateful to Marc for all he’d taught her on the way here. “Channel switch?”

“Very good. What did you tell him?”

Angela lit a Marlboro, studying the shadows. “There’s someone spying on this camp from one of the houses on that hill.”

The hill in sight was at least five miles away. Adrian relaxed visibly. He tapped a message to Kyle, not needing to ask if the spy was bad. He knew from the way she’d reacted.

Adrian got them moving again, wondering if it was coincidence that Seth was who she had alerted first. Did she know Seth was his secret protection, or had they formed a bond this afternoon?

“Both.” Angela frowned at him. “Why aren’t you keeping me out?”

Adrian returned her frank stare. “I don’t feel like I need to. Couldn’t if you wanted in anyway, right?”

“There are ways.” She stared at the ground.

“I know some of them.” He shrugged. “I won’t. It’s all or nothing with me. I believe in what I’m doing, and I believe you will too, in time. There will be hardships; I have no doubt of that. Our journey has just begun, but we’ll hold them together with our belief.”

“You’ve seen these things.”

It wasn’t a question. He smiled, sure she would settle in once he had her under his wing. “Every night shows me more. Will you come by my tent in the morning, around 11am?” Adrian felt her tense as a large group walked by, staring and whispering. “Give it time. That feeling will go away.”

She looked at him with a frightened girl’s allure. “You promise?”

Adrian gave it without hesitation. “Yes. I’ll handle it personally.”

A volley of gunshots rang out from the training area, making her twitch.

Adrian gestured. “That will go away too. You’ll end up with nerves of steel and a heart of ice.” How fast can I settle her in? Depending on her restlessness, her needs… Less time than it had taken with Kenn.

“I’ll get back to you on that.” They continued toward the loud noise, one Angela was dreading; it was the sound of people. Adrian said when the fires were lit, all but one activity was ended. The fires drew a crowd to the final entertainment of the evening. Laughter echoed, backdropped by voices lifted in conversation and support. They were all sounds she’d been missing for the entire time she was on the way here, but now that she had it, she wanted to be alone again.

Huge spotlights sat on roofs of trucks alongside a lit baseball field. Gunshots echoed almost continuously amid cheers and moans.

The crowd parted to let them through. The breeze was cooling, but Angela forced herself to leave her sweater around her hips despite the chill, sure it would be viewed as a sign of weakness if she put it on right now.

Adrian leered at Tonya as he stepped by, but he didn’t talk to her or any of the others. It had been a good day.

Angela was tense. They were in the thick of over a hundred laughing, talking, whispering, pointing, yelling, staring people now. It was too much…

Easy, Adrian sent. In time, they’ll be like your family.

Angela was drawn along, hoping he was right.

More shots rang out as they neared the shoulder high, chain-link fence. Angela saw three tall men waiting by a row of bales, aware of more people turning to get a look at her as she came to a stop on Adrian’s right. Doug was one of them. He and Neil were chuckling at something Kenn said.

They really are his men. How can I get them to give Marc a fair chance? She couldn’t. They would have to judge for themselves.

Maybe you should examine your Marine again, the witch coaxed. Be sure you’re ready to let him go.

She did, searching hard. The things she saw were surprising, disconcerting. He’s more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. Also, more attractive despite the anger she could feel. Concentrating on the targets, Kenny was tall, dark, and handsome. Even his small beer belly was gone. The stray curl of lust was an unwelcome reminder of her naivety. She had been attracted to Kenn when they had met. She had assumed that because it had been magical with Marc, it would be that way with any man. It was a reminder of when she’d been young, dumb, and easily fooled.

Her thoughts were interrupted by more gunfire.

It occurred to Angela that she felt safe enough with Adrian next to her that she had gotten lost in her own mind in a large crowd of strangers. Eager to be distracted from the choices she knew were coming, Angela stepped closer to the fence.

She missed the surprise of his men when Adrian followed, assuming the bodyguard’s place behind and to her right.

“Bull’s-eye!”

The crowd cheered.

Neil groaned, eliminated. As the targets were replaced, he joined Adrian and Angela.

“You remember Neil.”

She noticed Adrian hadn’t reminded her of anyone else’s name. She caught the hint that Neil was someone important here, but she didn’t need it. It was clear by all the attention he got and how he was everywhere, like Kenn, doing a little of everything.

“Now it gets good.” Neil watched Angela. He hadn’t heard all the stories when he’d met her earlier. He wanted to believe Kenn wouldn’t hit a woman, but there were witnesses. Not full members yet, their word wouldn’t matter to the camp, but it would to the Eagles.

“No fair! Kenn’s got his wife here!” Kyle gestured, grinning. “No good luck charms!”

Angela blushed at the mobster’s joke, but before she could respond with a joke of her own or deny the title, Kenn unloaded his mag.

“Eight bull’s-eyes! We have a tie!”

A loud cheer went up.

Adrian gave Neil a motion before climbing the fence. He dropped to the ground with an easy grace that made Angela’s stomach tighten. Sexy.

“Too late for another shooter?”

Kenn and Doug groaned as the camp members cheered in approval. Angela could feel them behind her, whispering, staring. She couldn’t help resting her hand on her gun. She could hear the conversations; most of them were about her. Marc and Kenn were being mentioned, but there were also words about the quarantine rule Adrian had broken…and her carrying a gun. Apparently, none of the other females here had passed the class yet. Angela understood she was the first woman he had shown this much interest in because some of them were wondering if it was personal. After a minute of consideration, she decided those few were idiots. Adrian wanted her gifts.

Neil slid closer so she could hear him through the fence. “Those three men outshoot everyone here. Adrian schedules these contests every few weeks. The camp loves it.”

The three remaining contestants lined up–first, second, and fifth in command–and began checking their weapons. As everyone fell silent, she saw how many reasons Adrian had for doing things like this. She was curious if his army knew half of them.

Doug stepped forward. Hoping to rattle Kenn, he waved to Angela.

Angela returned his greeting in embarrassment.

The crowd roared at the big man’s tactics.

Kenn wasn’t amused. He was determined not to miss a single shot. Right now, he knew where to put his anger.

“Bull’s-eye!”

Doug grinned as Kenn moved forward. Before he could tease again, the Marine pulled the trigger...then he emptied the mag.

The crowd muttered in surprise, then quieted as everyone waited for Adrian’s reaction.

“Put Doug’s targets up after the call.” Adrian shrugged at the big man who was now the one rattled. “You started it.”

“Eight bull’s-eyes!”

The crowd was boisterous in their approval as Kenn leered at Doug. “I get the title and the girl.”

Doug was chuckling as he took his place.

As Kenn joined Angela along the fence, he gave Neil a nod, but they exchanged nothing else. Angela understood they weren’t friends.

Following orders, Neil stayed close.

When Kenn scowled, Angela caught his attention. “What title?”

“Best gun in camp.”

“Who has it now?”

Kenn was cocky. “You’re looking at him. Doug gets a chance to take it away tomorrow.”

Angela was flooded with bitterness. She had been fighting for her life, struggling to get here, and he’d been in all this safety, shooting for meaningless titles.

Doug took his turn, then studied the new woman while waiting for the call. She seemed upset. Anger hunting for a target, his mind zeroed in on Marc. That split lip has to be from her new man. Kenn wouldn’t break Adrian’s rules.

“Eight bull’s-eyes! Tie!”

The crowd quieted as Adrian stepped forward.

Kenn glanced at Angela. “He tell you how things work here?”

Angela didn’t look away from Adrian, who was lining himself up to the targets. “Enough.”

Her tone was full of warning. His bluff had been called. Adrian was an ardent supporter of women’s rights. Kenn let out a sigh, hoping she would still keep her mouth shut. “Want a better view?”

Angela nodded, but before he could help her, she swung her body up and over, movement almost an exact copy of Adrian’s.

Kenn scowled, knowing Neil had understood she didn’t want him to touch her.

Angela did stay close to Kenn as they watched the shooting, but Neil sensed it was to soothe his ego, not because she wanted to.

Unlike the rest of his men, Adrian didn’t hold and aim. He left his weapon in the holster, long fingers dangling. He drew in a graceful blur. The 9mm thundered, bullets slamming into the targets in rapid succession.

“Eight bull’s-eyes!”

The crowd’s enthusiasm was catching. Angela let herself be carried away, clapping. When Kenn stepped forward, she wished him luck.

He smiled at her, the first friendly moment they’d exchanged.

“He doesn’t need any more!” Doug protested.

They all laughed as the targets were relocated. The tension was gone. Though it was only a brief second, Adrian recognized it.

Kenn pulled the trigger gently, repeatedly.

“Eight bull’s-eyes!”

The crowd went wild.

Angela was glad she was now on this side of the fence as the crowd pushed and shoved closer. Neil was right. The people here loved this... Marc could match anything she’d witnessed so far. Would that help him?

Doug limped up to the line, not joking anymore. He wiped an arm across his sweaty face before lifting his gun. Bullets flew.

The immediate slump of his shoulders said Doug knew it wasn’t good enough.

“Seven hits. Four bull’s-eyes!”

The crowd cheered again, many chanting Kenn’s name.

Doug shook his hand, as he’d done the last time he lost to Kenn, though now he didn’t feel so bad. Kenn was just better with a gun. There was no changing that. “You’re going to win.”

Kenn picked out too many of the men glancing at Angela’s long curls blowing in the cooling wind. She’d taken it out of the braid. “True that.”

Angela winced, slapped by flashes of their past from that hauntingly familiar expression.

Adrian and Neil weren’t the ones who noticed her reaction.

Silence fell as Adrian stepped up, shooting straight from the hip.

“Eight bull’s-eyes!”

The noise was deafening. Their worries gone for a small instant, the crowd roared approval. Angela was sure most of them didn’t care who won. This shot-for-shot competition was what mattered.

The targets were relocated again.

Kenn returned to Angela’s side, grinning at her in the rare, playful way that had never failed to get her to smile at his antics. He added an eye-cross, suddenly wanting to hear her laugh.

When she did, men turned toward her, drawn.

Kenn’s scowl reappeared.

Adrian recognized the spark between them. He felt obliged to at least try to help his right hand man. It would be easier if those two stayed together. Would a win here help the Marine? Kenn’s happiness mattered too, and his loyalty had been steadfast… Adrian didn’t think it would be enough to sway anything. Angela knew what she wanted, and it wasn’t Marine number one. Still…

Adrian drew, firing. When he stopped, he met Kenn’s surprised stare over the crowd.

“Seven bull’s-eyes!”

There were cheers and groans.

Adrian shrugged. “Can’t be perfect all the time.”

Kenn took his place. “Just practice anyway.” He blew out a breath and began firing.

“Eight bull’s-eyes!”

Kenn locked onto Angela across the short distance. “Boo-yah!”

“Nice shooting.” Adrian shook his hand, pulling his attention away.

Angela trembled as nightmares rushed over her. Kenny was always inventive when he won something he really wanted.

Neil had been watching her while pretending he wasn’t. He didn’t like any of the things he noticed.

“I’m sharing a tent with Charlie?”

Neil gave her a confused stare as the crowd broke up. “We assumed you’d be with Kenn.”

Fire flashed in her eyes. “Assumed because he said so?”

“Yes.” Neil felt like he’d done something wrong.

Kenn stared at Angela over the men congratulating him. I’m almost in charge. Do what I say or you’ll regret it!

Angela turned to the frowning guard at her side. “Will you take me to Marc?”

“Yes.” Neil’s lips were thin as they climbed the fence. He didn’t offer her a hand over as he might have with the other women here. He could sense her reluctance to touch or be touched. Time in Adrian’s army had made all of them more sensitive to female moods. Neil’s scowl grew. Except for Kenn, apparently.

Angela was able to feel Neil’s disapproval. She leaned closer. “Marc has my medical bag.”

“Uh-huh.” Neil had respect for Kenn, though he couldn’t say he liked the arrogant son of a bitch. He wasn’t afraid of him, but he was scared of destroying all Adrian had going, and of losing his second chance. Neil did hope no one would stress to Kenn that he had escorted his wife to another man’s tent. He didn’t need that type of drama.

Angela picked up the thought. She was unable to stay quiet this time. “We’re not married.”

Neil shrugged, not realizing he hadn’t spoken aloud. “It doesn’t matter. Common Law counts.”

“We weren’t that either.”

“That’s the way it appears.”

“Why? Because he says so? They don’t know me.”

“We listen and watch. Kenn introduced you as his Angela; you began talking to Adrian with no denial. Kyle even called you his wife tonight; you laughed with the rest of us. It’s how we judge lady or tramp here.”

“It’s not like that and I’m already tired of saying it! I haven’t even been here a full day. They know nothing.”

“What Kenn says, his respectability, gives it credit.” Neil steered them toward the QZ. “If Adrian hadn’t taken you under his wing today, you might have been viewed as a mother trying to get to her son by cheating on her husband.”

She was angry, he could feel it. Neil was sympathetic. He couldn’t wait to see her in the sun and happy, rather than the darkness and fear she was trapped in now. He hoped Adrian handled things faster with her. “Sorry, but I never sugarcoat the truth to people I like. Things are different now. You got a chance to show you can be one of us, and you did well, but your wolfman… It could get ugly for him if people think Kenn’s been reunited with his wife, but she has a boyfriend along. Be careful.”

Angela sighed in frustration, not understanding the rules.

Neil was stopped from further explanation by the tent flap opening.

The wolf padded out, studying the trooper. He crossed under the tape with no signs it existed to him. Angela wasn’t sure that was the case, but she would never tell on Dog.

The wolf was followed by his master.

Angela dropped to one knee to greet the animal, lingering when she knew she shouldn’t.

After a minute of tense silence, she stood to take the kit Marc had brought out, being careful not to touch him. “Thanks.”

“Sure.”

Angela tried hard to sound normal, aware of eyes on them in the dim light of the fires. “Guess you’ll be out in the morning?”

“Yeah.” Marc silently asked what was wrong, but she didn’t respond. He wanted to say something, but he couldn’t, not with a guard standing behind her. He clamped his lips shut. Just be cool.

“I’ll see ya, Marc.” Angela turned, feeling like this was goodbye for them.

The desperation made Marc open his mouth without knowing what might come out. “I’ll wait until you decide, Angie. I’ll accept it. If I can’t, I’ll leave.”

Neil saw her freeze mid step, then actually stop herself from responding… From begging him to stay?

Angela forced herself to move, too aware of Neil missing nothing. He and Adrian were right. She would have to be careful.

Following Adrian’s pattern from the contest, Neil walked a little behind and a bit to her right as she went to her son’s tent, thinking hard about what he had witnessed. Their attraction was strong, undeniable, and it had taken less than a minute to recognize. Does Kenn love her that way?

Like his boss, Neil thought women should be happy and treated well. Everyone was wondering about the wound on her lips, especially since the couple had gone all day without speaking to each other though they’d been apart since the war.

Neil wanted to ask questions, but knew he wouldn’t get answers from her. He would have a tough time believing anything she might say anyway. It would force him to do something, and a mere sit down wouldn’t be enough. For beating on Angela, Neil wanted Kenn dead.

Neil admitted to himself then that he was attracted to her, that he might even want her. Neil made himself think of the expression on Marc’s face when he’d blurted he would wait for her. Complete devotion. It was what a woman like Angela needed. He envied the man a little. Marc… Maybe I can get some answers there.

2

Neil tapped on the tent flap. He had to wait for the wolf to move from the doorway before he could step inside. He immediately noticed the odor of gun oil. Soft, sad music came from a radio near a threadbare, camouflage sleeping bag. The broad shouldered man in the middle of it looked up from a stack of notebooks with a genuine grin.

“Thank God! Company!”

Neil chuckled politely. “I was here before it was a rule, but everyone says being in the Quarantine Zone sucks.” Neil scanned the man, thinking his first impression still held, even when the man was relaxed. It was old west cowboy crossed with modern day soldier. Marc wore it comfortably. The long black coat and faded hat were draped over the cot that Adrian had them put in each tent; everything else was folded or stacked on the end of his bed.

His rack, Neil corrected himself, noting the beautiful guns were off the man’s hips, but within reach. The new guy seemed like more of a Marine at a moment of ease than Kenn had been when he’d first joined them.

Marc motioned to the empty tent. “Have a seat.”

Handing over one of the two bottles he had squeezed out of the cook, Neil sat. He crossed his legs to the left of the wolf now viewing him with golden eyes from the shadowy corner.

“What can I do for you?”

Neil stared him in the puffy, purple eye. “I’ve got some free time and thought I’d come meet the man who has Kenn so upset he didn’t miss a single shot even though it was only practice. The real contest isn’t until tomorrow.”

Marc sat the beer down, unopened. “You saw me earlier.”

Neil decided the discolored jaw and scabbing knuckles added to Marc’s image. Is this man the hardass he appears to be? “I’ve had time to think.”

Marc tried to preempt the coming warning. “She just came to get her doctor bag. She hates to be without it.” Marc knew it was more than that. Something had upset her, and he had been unable to help.

Neil didn’t fall for it. “Bullshit. She was fine until Kenn looked at her after he won. Then she got scared and asked to be brought to you. The bag was the excuse most convenient to her.”

Marc didn’t answer. Kenn was already testing her new nerves. Lovely.

“What’s going on between you two?”

Marc delivered a cool glare. “Nothing. Don’t ruin her chances here over a reaction you probably imagined. You don’t know them, not really. Kenn isn’t the saint you all think he is.”

Clearly, he’d spoken to people despite being in quarantine. Neil asked the question he desperately wanted an answer to. “Did he give her that split lip?”

“Ask her.”

Neil frowned at the quick, curt answer. “She won’t talk to me yet. Right now, I’m on his side as far as she’s concerned.”

Marc was glad to hear genuine distaste in the guard’s tone. “It’s her business. If she wanted it known, she’d tell you.”

Neil gestured. “Why are you protecting him? Adrian will punish him. He’ll lose his place.”

Marc blew out a frustrated sigh. “So I’ve heard, and like I’ve told the others, it would just make things harder for her. She hasn’t made up her mind about what she wants, and I won’t force her hand on it.”

Neil took a moment to think it over, respecting him. These two new people didn’t seem to be eager to cause trouble. In the silence, he gave the orderly tent another scan, searching for clues. Gear stowed, boots at attention, even his sleeping bag was neat. Marc was a lifer, unlike Kenn, who never talked about his past, something most people here did, a lot. Marc was in love with a woman he couldn’t have. Neil felt a connection to him beyond his own dislike for Kenn. “He really hit her?”

“She didn’t fall or run into anything, no matter what she says later.” It was the first time Marc had caved and told that secret, but he already liked Neil. He sensed they could be friends, and Marc was very aware that he didn’t have any here. He also refused to let them believe whatever excuse Angela had invented.

Neil was full of disappointment for Adrian’s dream. Deep down though, he could see the abusive nature Kenn had hidden. It came through in the flashes of arrogance and possessiveness.

Noises came to them. When the muffled sounds cleared into laughter and excited voices, Neil relaxed.

Marc’s heart kept thumping. She’s out there, alone. He heeded the instinct saying Neil was one of the good guys. “Will you help her? Show her how things work here?”

“I already have been; she just doesn’t know it yet. She’s important to Adrian.”

Marc hoped that would be enough. He was an outsider. He wouldn’t be able to get close to her again for a while.

“You’ll try to keep your distance?”

Marc’s expression betrayed nothing. “Yes, even if she chooses him. I won’t stand in the way of what she wants.”

Neil got up and held out a hand. “I’m Todd O’Neil. You’ll be busy for a bit, I imagine, but I might be able to pass an occasional hello. You’ll have a lot to prove if you hope for a chance here.”

Marc shook with him. The last three people he had talked to hadn’t cared at all about the truth. Marc was relieved at least one person was offering friendship rather than cleverly worded threats “Marc Brady. You say there’s a shooting match tomorrow?”

“You’ll be out in time for it.” Neil lifted a brow. “You any good?”

Marc ran a throbbing hand over his swollen jaw. “I usually hit what I’m aiming at.”

Neil grinned, thinking he would take the man under his wing the way Adrian had done with Angela, just more aggressively. His amusement increased. Doug flirting with Angie hadn’t rattled Kenn, but Marc surprising him might. Especially if the man really was good. For some reason, Neil liked the idea of Marc and Angie together. It was wrong of Kenn to keep them apart if they loved each other. “Appearances mean a lot here. You’ll never be accepted if you chase her.”

Marc gave him open honesty. “I’ll stay back, and I’ll follow the rules, but the minute she wants or needs me, I’m going, and I won’t be stopped.”

Neil felt his respect grow. It took courage and self-belief to say something like that to a complete stranger. “You want someone to hang with tomorrow, to show you around?”

“Absolutely.” Marc was curious where Neil was in Safe Haven’s chain of command. He had no doubt that the trooper was.

The wolf watched Neil with his tinted ears perked. Neil wondered how Marc had earned loyalty from a wild animal, but didn’t ask. Stories like that were shared with friends and they weren’t that yet. They would be though; Neil was sure of it and anxious to hear the tale. “I’ll see ya in the morning.”

“Yes, you will.”

It was an odd response. Neil could tell from the tone it meant something, but again, he didn’t question, sensing it also required real friendship to share. He left Marc alone with his thoughts.

Marc wasn’t bitter that Angela hadn’t been quarantined. He just wished he was out there too, watching over her. It hurt his heart not to be able to protect her now, when she was surrounded by strangers and facing old dangers.